Genoa have opened negotiations to sign Al Ittihad’s Albanian defender Mario Mitaj on loan, with an option to buy, according to reports in Saudi Arabia.
Italian move on cards for rising Albanian star
Saudi sports daily Al-Riyadiya reports that the Serie A club has formally entered talks with Al Ittihad over a deal for the 23-year-old left-back during the current summer transfer window.
Genoa are understood to be pushing for a season-long loan agreement that would include a clause granting them the right to make the transfer permanent at the end of the campaign.
Both clubs are currently working to finalise the details of the proposed move in order to conclude the deal before the close of the summer window.
If completed, the switch would take one of the Saudi Pro League’s most consistent full-backs to one of Europe’s top five leagues, underlining the growing interconnection between Saudi and European football markets.
Key figure in Al Ittihad’s recent success
Mitaj joined Al Ittihad in the summer of 2024 from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow and quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Jeddah club’s starting line-up.
Operating primarily at left-back, he secured a regular place under two high-profile coaches – Frenchman Laurent Blanc and Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao – impressing with his versatility and attacking contribution from defence.
Since his arrival at Al Ittihad’s home ground, known as Al Inma Stadium, the Albanian international has made 58 appearances in all competitions. During that period he has scored two goals and provided six assists.
His performances helped Al Ittihad secure a domestic double in the season before last, lifting both the Saudi Pro League title, then named the Roshn League, and the King’s Cup.
Strategic deal for all parties
For Genoa, the proposed structure of a loan with an option to buy represents a relatively low‐risk way to strengthen their defensive options with a player who has already demonstrated consistency at a high competitive level.
The Italian club would be able to assess Mitaj over a full campaign before deciding whether to activate the purchase clause.
For Al Ittihad, a move to Serie A would showcase one of their standout defensive assets in a major European league, potentially increasing his market value while also freeing up a foreign-player slot in their squad.
Al-Riyadiya’s report did not disclose the financial terms under discussion, and neither Genoa nor Al Ittihad have yet issued an official statement on the negotiations.
However, with talks described as active and both sides seeking a swift conclusion, Mitaj could soon be set for a new chapter in his career in Italy, pending agreement on final terms and completion of medical and contractual formalities.
